(CNSNews.com) - In his most recent national news conference, President Barack Obama defended his budget proposal to reduce the tax deduction for charitable contributions from 39 percent to 28 percent. Actress Lea Thompson, who was in Washington for the Alzheimer’s Association gala, said Obama’s proposal would deter charitable giving to a “certain extent.” But Thompson said she hopes people will continue to give to charity.

“I think to a certain extent,” the plan will deter giving, Thompson told CNSNews.com. “I think people have a general idea that when they give they are going to get a tax break, but that’s already been cut into a little bit by the previous administration. So I think if he [Obama] wants to stop the tax breaks, then he’s got to give more money from the government to it -- so hopefully that’ll happen.”

“I mean, I’m not up on that issue but I know that I – it’s my principle that I give and I give freely, not expecting anything in return and I hope other people can do that as well,” said Thompson. “Hopefully, it’ll all work out.”

Thompson told CNSNews.com that she has been involved with the Alzheimer’s Association for 14 years. The disease hits close to home with Thompson, whose grandmothers and stepfather died from the disease.

“This association is really wonderful because they support the caregivers as well, so they give us -- the people that take care of the people who are sick – support, and it’s a nice,” said Thompson. “It’s a good society of people all working towards a cure and, you know, living with it as well.”

When asked if she thinks the federal government should do more to raise awareness about the disease and fund research for a cure, Thompson said they are “trying.”

“I think they are trying. I mean, I think it’s a partnership,” she said.

“We could always use more money, that’s for sure,” said Thompson. “It’s got to be a partnership, and it’s our job to raise their awareness and raise the voices because, I believe, that by the time you are 56 or 57, you have a one-in-eight chance of getting Alzheimer’s in your life -- so it’s pretty serious. We’re all getting a little bit older.”

Lea Thompson’s most famous film role was her portrayal of Lorraine Baines McFly in the Back to the Future trilogy. She is also well known for her role as the lead character in the 1990s NBC television series Caroline in the City. She also played Mrs. Alice Mitchell (Dennis’s mother) in the family film Dennis the Menace.